What You Need to Know About Fatty Liver Disease

Some think of liver disease as a problem that only affects those who drink alcohol in excess. However, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the U.S. and affects people who drink little to no alcohol. Simply put, NAFLD is a condition caused by excess fat stored in liver cells. It is more common in people who have obesity and obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea and high cholesterol. Researchers have found NAFLD in up to 80% of those with type 2 diabetes and in up to 90% of people struggling with obesity.

NAFLD often has no symptoms and is generally discovered through blood tests. However, when symptoms are present, those could be as subtle as fatigue or upper right abdominal discomfort. If left untreated, NAFLD can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis– a condition in which the liver is permanently damaged and scarred–or even death.

Unfortunately, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat NAFLD. The only way to reverse it is through lifestyle modifications, including diet, exercise and weight loss. Though losing 10% of your body weight to reverse NAFLD is a good goal, losing as little as 5% can reduce your risk factors.

Studies have shown that bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for the condition. In 2022, research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that patients experienced a reduction in liver fat as soon as five weeks after surgery. After a year of sustained weight loss, patients’ liver fat was nearly gone.

Talk to your doctor about how your procedure can potentially reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

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